Egg cracking mechanism



8, 1956 c. H. WILLSEY 2,760,536

EGG CRACKING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1952 s Sheets-Shae-t 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 28, 1956 c. H. WILLSEY EGG CRACKING MECHANISM 8 Sheds-Sheet 2 FiledOct. 18, 1952 NQQ INVENTOR.

(Via/Z65]! WZZZ5% BY c. H. WILLSEY 2,760,536

Aug. 28, 1956 EGG CRACKING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet3 INVENTOR.

Aug. 28, 1956 c. H. WILLSEY EGG CRACKING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Oct. 18, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 18, -l952 Aug. 28, 1956 c. H. WILLSEY EGGCRACKING MECHANISM 8 Shee ts-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 18, 1952 INVENTOR.Charles H Willa Aug. 28, 1956 c. H. WILLSEY 2,760,536

EGG CRACKING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 28,1956 c. H. WILLSEY EGG CRACKING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct.18, 1952 NQN 06% QM Nww O 0 O O 0Z0 0:0

. INVENTOR. mmm "5 H wh In mu Ill-H I EGG CRACKING MECHANISM Charles H.Wiilsey, Topeka, Kane.

Application October 18, 1952, denial No. 315,447

26 Claims. (Cl. 146-2) This invention relates to egg handling apparatusand is more particularly concerned with improvements in a machine havingmechanism for cracking or breaking successive eggs and separating thebroken shell portions to deliver the contents therefrom together withcooperating mechanism for receiving the egg contents and for sep- Harating the yolks from the whites.

Mechanisms which have heretofore been proposed for breaking or crackingeggs, separating the broken or cracked shell into portions anddelivering the contents from the separated shell portions, with meansbeing provided for separating the yolks and the whites, have not beensatisfactory primarily because they have not operated eiiiciently uponthe eggs or because they have not met necessary sanitation requirements.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improvedegg handling machine having mechanism for advancing successive eggs to acracking station, mechanism for automatically cracking or breaking theshells of the successive egg and delivering the contents thereof fromthe broken shells to successive receptacles at the cracking station andmechanism for conveying the res Patent successive receptacles from thecracking station while simultaneously separating the yolk from thewhites, wherein the eggs are handled in an efiicient manner and whereinadequate provision is made for maintaining the machine in a sanitarycondition.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a machinewherein a plurality of eggs are delivered on end to a holding orsupporting conveyor, the individual eggs are advanced along apredetermined path to a point where, with both ends gripped, the shellis cracked and separated into two portions which are moved to invertedposition to discharge or dump the contents therefrom, and wherein aplurality of conveyor carried receptacles for receiving the egg contentsare provided which are moved in a closed path with mechanism along thelatter path operative on the receptacles to separate the yolks from thewhites and to discharge the same into separate receiving trays orcontainers.

It is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine an endless conveyor mechanism having a plurality of eggreceiving suction cups thereon, a rotary frame at one end of theconveyor also having a plurality of suction cups thereon which arearranged to cooperate with the suction cups on the conveyor mechanismwhereby to grasp each egg at opposite ends as the cups on the conveyormechanism and on the rotary frame move into cooperating relation, incombination with cracking knives pivoted on the conveyor mechanismadjacent each of the suction cups, and mechanism for operating theknives to strike and break the shells of successive eggs as they aregrasped by the cooperating suction cups whereby the shells are dividedinto separate portions and the contents are discharged or dumped as thesuction cups on the conveyor mechanism and the rotary frame advance intheir respective paths and carry the shell portions in oppositedirections.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine an endless conveyor having a plurality of egg receiving suctioncups thereon, a rotary frame mounted at one end of the endless conveyorhaving a plurality of similar cups arranged thereon to cooperate withthe suction cups on the endless conveyor, whereby to grasp each egg atopposite ends as the cups on the conveyor move around the end of thesame, in combination with spring loaded cracking knives pivoted on theconveyor adjacent each of the suction cups and mechanism for actuatingthe knives to strike and break the shells of successive eggs as they aregrasped by the cooperating suction cups whereby the shells are dividedinto separate portions and the contents are discharged or dumped as thesuction cups advance in their respective paths and the shell portionsmove in opposite directions.

It is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a transfer mechanism for delivering a plurality of eggs,arranged in row formation, from a feed conveyor to a continuously movingcracking conveyor, with the eggs being deposited on the crackingconveyor for advancing movement thereby in single file relation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a cracking conveyor having a plurality of egg holding membersthereon and a cracking assembly associated with each holding member forgauging the size of the egg and cracking the shell thereof as it reachesa cracking station where separation of the cracked portions of the shellwill automatically discharge the contents therefrom.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide in an eggcracking machine an endless conveyor having a plurality of suction cupsthereon each of which is adapted to grasp and hold an end of an egg,each of the cups having a combination size gauging and cracking knifeassembly associated therewith which is adapted to automatically positiona cracking knife for cracking the shell of the egg, regardless of thesize of the egg, and to insure that the cracking knife engages the shellsufiiciently to break the shell without breaking the yolk or otherwisedisturbing the contents of the egg.

It is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a cracking conveyor having thereon a plurality of suction cupsfor holding the eggs and a cracking knife assembly removably mountedadjacent each suction cup together with mechanism for adjusting thecracking knife assembly to a predetermined position, according to thesize of the egg held in the associated suction cups, to position acracking knife for automatically breaking the egg shell when the suctioncup is advanced to a cracking station at one end of the conveyor.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a continuously movable cracking conveyor having a plurality offlexible suction cups thereon with each of the cups being adapted toreceive one end of an egg and a cooperating continuously movableconveyor having a plurality of flexible suction cups thereon with eachof the cups adapted to be moved successively into opposed relation to acup on the cracking conveyor for engaging the end of the egg receivedtherein whereby the eggs are moved through a predetermined crackingposition while confined at both ends and egg shell releasing mechanismassociated with each conveyor for engaging the flexible cups to insurerelease of the shell portions therefrom after the cups advance beyondthe cracking position.

it is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a conveyor having removably mounted thereon a plurality of cupassemblies for receiving the contents of the eggs as they are broken andthe shell portions are separated wherein the cup assemblies comprise amain portion have a bottom aperture therein and a yolk holding portionmovably mounted in the aperture and normally closing the same andwherein cam elements are provided along the path of the conveyor forelevating the yolk holding portions to permit the albumen to drainthrough the bottom apertures in the main portions of the cup assembliesand wherein the cup assemblies are swingable relative to the conveyor toa yolk dumping position at a predetermined point in their path ofmovement.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a mechanism of thetype described conveyor mounted egg contents receiving cups andmechanism associated th r whereb the e p m y b adju ted o s ing re at ot e o eyo f mp n he cements at d ff ent location 9.1 the .eenv' ve to pem e e tive separation of the contents into different receiving con ainrs- These and otherobjects of the invention will be ap- Pa en f om a cside ati of the e h nd n ,ma h which is shown byway of illustration inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, with portions broken away, of a machine embodyingthe principal features of applicants invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of one side of the machine, to a larger scale,showing, particularly, the egg feeding mechanism; 2' 7 Figs. 3A and 38together constitute an enlarged ele- Yation of another side of themachine, showing particularly the drive mechanism and portions of theseparating cups and their .conveyor mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a section taken generally on the line 4--.4 of Fig." 1, to anenlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailed view taken on the line S?5 of 1, to anenlarged scale;

Fig. .6 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 1, to an enlarged scaleand with portions broken away;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the cracking conveyormechanism, taken on the line 8.8 of Fig. 7, and to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. .8;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line Illa-r10 ofFig. 9, o n enl e sFig. 11 is a detail section taken .011 the line 11-111 o F Fig. 12 is adetail section taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 13713 of Fig.3A;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism atthe cracking station;

Fig. 15 is a detail section taken on the line 15 15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken on the line 1616 ofFig. 1, with portions broken away and other portions in section;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16;and

Fig. 18 is a detail section taken on the line 18-48 of Fig. 16.

Referring particularly to Fig. l of the drawings the general arrangementand operation of the machine will first be described. The machinecomprises a feed or loading conveyor 10 for supplying eggs in successiverow arrangement, a transfer mechanism 11 for delivering successive rowsof the eggs to an egg supporting or cracking conveyor mechanism 12 whichadvances the eggs to a cracking station, a rotary head or holdingmechanism 13 which cooperates with the cracking conveyor mechanism 12 tohold successive eggs at the cracking station, and a separating and r eseenv y mechanism 14 for i .3 receiving the contents of successive eggsat the cracking station and thereafter separating the whites and theyolks and delivering the same separately from the machine.

The loading or feeding conveyor 10 is arranged to move in a horizontalplane and receives the eggs on its upper run. The eggs are positioned onthe conveyor 10 either manually, or by automatic placing and deliveringmeans. The conveyor '11) moves the eggs up to a position beneath thetransfer mechanism 11 in rows of six extending transversely of theconveyor. The transfer mechanism 11 picks up successive rows of eggsfrom the feeding conveyor 10 and moves through a circular vpath ofapproximately to deliver them to the upper run of the conveyor mechanism12 which is operative in a vertical plane, with the upper run spacedforwardly of the end of the conveyor 10. The conveyor mechanism 12 whichreceives the eggs with the ends thereof seated in a series of suctioncups or holders 15 advances the eggs in a single line around the leadingend thereof to bring each successive egg into a generally horizontalposition where the cracking occurs. Each egg isheld at the crackingstation with one end in a holding cup :15 on the conveyor 12 and withthe other end in acooperating holding cup 16 on the rotary head 13 whichis arranged adiacent the leading end of the conveyor 12. While held .atthe cracking station the successive eggs are broken, or cracked, and asthe conveyor 12 and head 13 continue their advancing movement thehalves'of the shells move around beneath the conveyor 12 and the holdinghead 13, respectively, with the contents thereof being dumped into acontents receiving cup or receptacle 17 on the separating conveyor 14.As the latter advances thereeeiving cup 17 beyond the cracking stationthe yolks and the whites are separated and delivered into separat ont ns- The :feed conveyor 10 and the transfer mechanism 11 re mo nte n a nep t auxiliary s pp rting frame 1. (Ba 2) fo ov me y m t e main frame 19which supports the remainder of the machine, to facilitate cleaning andassembling operations. The feed conveyor supporting frame 18 comprisesthe corner uprights 20 and the top frame members 21. The conveyor '19comprises laterally spaced endless side chains 22, mounted at one end onthe sprockets 23, the latter be n SUPP ILQ n a c oss sh f v241 nding btwe ups anding b ari p t 2 en e t p Po tion .21, o the supp tin fram Atthe t e en th h n 2. a e s ppo te on spr c ets 5 hich a moun ed n a eresshaft .2 ten ng be een ps a d ng br ck ts 28 a d 2. i he eggs are supped n a eries oferess plat s 3 ach of which s pr th s oles 31, bad; a thhol s eing dap e to upp r an e g wit the long axis arranged in avertical direction. The plates at ar eeehpi ta y ed o a same sh f .32 athe forward end which is mounted in pivotal relationon brackets 3 rraned t p p rt o the l k on the side chains 22. The cross shaft 27 at theforward end of the conveyor is extended outwardly atone side of theconveyor and carries on its outer end an opera lng rat het heel 3-4. Asaddl 35, pivotelly mou t d on theshaft 27, straddles the ratchet wheel34 and carries a sp in p s e s 36 ich engages th r h whee 34- Th saddle3 1 p e or oee l e y m ns of the link 37 which is pivotally connected atone end to the saddle 3 5 and at the other end to the transfer mechanism11 in a manner which will he described. At each operation of thetransfer mechanism the ratchet 34 is rotated to advance the feedconveyor the distance necesr sery to position the next row of eggs forthe transfer ope a e The conveyor 1.0 is provided at its forward (Figs.4:6) end with an egg lifting mechanism for positioning the eggs for.proper engagement by the transfer mechanism 11- The' f in m ch is o pres a p al ty o -re eti ely harrow'e onga e lifting p1ateh1emh rs38 arepositioned with their forward ends beneath the apertures 31 in the plate30 as the plate 30 moves up to the end of the conveyor in properposition for delivery therefrom of the eggs which are supported in theapertures 31. The lifting plates or fingers 38 are secured in forwardlyextending relation on a rock shaft 39 journaled in the side supportingplates 28 and 29. The rock shaft 39 is extended at one end and providedwith a relatively small arm member 4'9 (Fig. which is adapted to beengaged by one arm 41 of a bell crank, the latter being pivotallymounted at 42 on the support plate 28 with the other arm .3 thereofextending upwardly therefrom and carrying a pin 44 which is engaged bythe transfer device as the transfer device 11 is operated to positionthe egg engaging portion thereof above the end of the conveyor 10. Atthe other end the rock shaft 39 is extended slightly and carries an arm45. A tension spring 46 connected at one end to the arm 45 and at theother end to a fixed portion of the supporting plate 29 tends to urgethe rock shaft 39 in the direction for retracting the lifter plates 38,the ends of the plates 38 being immediately above the conveyor drive orcross shaft 27. A generally U-shaped cam bar 46 extends above the end ofthe conveyor with its legs fastened to the support plates 28 and 29. Theupper run of the conveyor 10 is supported in horizontal position bysupport members extending longitudinally above the top frame members 21which are supported by the side plates 28 and 29 at one end and byupstanding brackets 47 at the other end.

The egg transfer mechanism 11 is mounted on a supporting plate member 48extending horizontally at the forward end of the frame support for theconveyor 10, which plate member is itself supported by verticallyextending side plates 49 and a cross bar connecting structure 50. A rockshaft 51 extends transversely of the path of the conveyor 10 and isjournaled in upright supporting posts or brackets 52, 53 (Fig. 3A) whichare in turn supported in the horizontal plate member 48. At one end therock shaft 51 is extended beyond the post 52 and carries a small gear 54at its outer end which is in driving relation with the larger gear 55supported on a stub shaft 56 which is journaled in a bearing 57extending upwardly of the support plate 48. The gear 55 is oscillated bymeans of a link 58 (Fig. 2) which has one end pivotally connected at 59to the gear 55 and the other end pivotally connected at 66 to aneccentric 61 mounted on a power shaft 62. Oscillation of the link 58 bythe power shaft 62 causes oscillation of the gear 55 which oscillatesthe small gear 54 on the end of the rock shaft 51. The shaft 51 has anarm 63 mounted on the end thereof which is pivotally connected at 64 tothe end of the link 37 so that each oscillation of the rock shaft 51advances conveyor 10 one step to present a row of eggs for the nextoperation of the transfer device.

The rock shaft 51 has mounted thereon adjacent the supporting standards52 and 53 a pair of supporting arm members 65, 66 of generally U-shapedformation, these arm members each having a relatively long bight portionand relative short leg portions and one of the legs of each of themembers being secured to the rock shaft 51. A smaller rock shaft 67 isjournaled in the outer free ends or legs of the support arms 65, 66. Thesmaller rock shaft 67 is provided at one end with a collar 68 and isextended at the other end and carries thereon a collar 69 and acompression spring 76 between the collar 69 and the adjacent support arm65, the shaft 67 being supported in the ends of the arms 65 and 66 sothat it is capable of both rotative and longitudinal sliding move mentrelative to the arms 65 and 66. The sliding movement is resisted by thespring 70 which urges the shaft 67 toward its normal position when it isfree. The rock shaft 67 carries a gripper support plate 71 which isconnected thereto by a plurality of posts 72 depending from the shaft67. The plate 71 carries on its opposite or lower face a plurality ofgripper assemblies for engaging and gripping the row of eggs While theyare in transit from the feeding conveyor '10 to the cracking conveyor12.

Each of the egg gripper assemblies comprises a pair of depending fixedgripper fingers 73 (Fig. 4) which are arranged in spaced relationadjacent one side edge of the supporting plate 71 and a movable grippermember 74 pivotally mounted at the other side edge of the plate 71. Themovable gripper member 74 is provided with bearing forming ears ortrunnions 75 which are received on a pivot rod 76 secured along theforward edge of the plate 71 so that the member 74 may be swung towardand from the gripper fixed members 73. Each of the grippers 74 isprovided with an angular related finger member 77 which extendsoutwardly of the edge of the plate 71 and of the pivot rod 76 and whichcontrols the movement of the gripper 74. The arm 77 is provided with anupstanding pair of ears 78 to which there is pivotally connected one endof a latching bar element 79, the latching element 79 extendinggenerally parallel to the uppermost face of the plate 71 and across thesame. The latching bar 79 is urged toward the uppermost face of theplate 71 by a tension spring 80 which is connected at one end to anintermediate portion of the bar 79 and at the other end to the plate 71.At the free end of the latching bar 79 a notched formation 61 isprovided in the bottom of the bar to engage in latching relation theedge of the plate 71 when the gripper member 74 is moved to apredetermined gripping position. The latch bar 79 is extended at 82 forengagement with the cam or tripping bar 46 on the conveyor 16 when thetransfer mechanism is operated to position the gripper assemblies over arow of eggs at the leading end of a conveyor 10. The arms 74 of thegripper assemblies are, of course, held in non-engaging or open relationuntil the transfer plate '71, carrying the gripper assemblies,approaches the proper position for picking up the row of eggs, above theleading end of the conveyor 10, when further movement of the plate 71engages the ends 82; of the latch bars 79 with the cam bar 46 and alowsthe gripper arms 74 to pivot into closed position engaging the eggs onthe conveyor plate 30. During the movement of the transfer assembliesthe supporting plate 71 is held in a generally horizontal position bymechanism controlling the rotation of the rock shaft 67 as it is swungby movement of its support arms 65 and 66 through an arc ofapproximately 180. The rock shaft 67 carries at one end a sprocket 83which rotates with the shaft 67 and which is connected by a drive chain84 with a sprocket 85 fixed on the rock shaft 51. The sprocket 83 issplined on the shaft 6'7 so that it rotates with the shaft 67 out isslidable thereon and permits the shaft 6'7 to move axially withoutmisalignment of the sprockets 83 and 85. As the arms 65 and 66 are swungin their path of movement by the shaft 51 the shaft 67 is rocked orrotated to hold the grippers 73 and 74 in generally vertical position.The shaft 67 carries a depending arm 86 adjacent one end and having adependign rod 87 provided at its lower end with an angled end portion88. As the transfer mechanism is operated to position the gripperassemblies for pick-up of the eggs from the conveyor 11 the cam rod 67engages with a cam member 89 (Fig. 4) which is supported on the post 53to tilt the support plate 71 and position the fixed gripper fingers 73to clear the tops of the row of eggs and insure that there will be nointerference with movement of the grippers into position for engagementwith the eggs. The curved end 33 on the rod 87 first engages the camfixed members 89 and tilts the plate 71 sufficient to insure clearanceof the fingers 73 and, as the gripper assemblies descend into thegripping position, allows the fingers 73 to move somewhat nearer toengagement with the eggs.

As the gripper assemblies move into position for engaging the eggs, thearm 65 engages the pin 44 (Fig. 5) on the egg lifter operating arm 43and rocks the shaft 39 remo e th en s o fingers 1 8 to engagemen w ththe honour of the egg -on th conveyor plate 39 and lif the eggssuificient to insure that they are properly seated or engaged betweenthe gripper fingers 73 and 7-4 .of the gripper assemblies.

Th e l i g and s pporting me han sm .12 (Figs 2 an which a ries h gg ining e fi e s ces i n to a ra ing p i on is moun e o an pstand n Platupport 00, hich is in m mo nte on a main UP porting frame comprisinguprights 101 and top frame members 102 which connect the same and whichsupport th ups ndin pl e-. 0 h e s ppo ing an onili g m an m 2 c mpri en endl s cha n armngem ht h h is mou t i Ql' mo e en on a id supp t g ummember 103 and a drive ppo t ng member 104. The conveyor supporting drum193 which is mounted on an idler shaft 1.55 is hexagonal in crosssection and providesaround its periphery six seats for chain formingmembers, which will be described. The supporting shaft 105 is adjustablypositioned on the supporting plate 100 so that tension in the conveyorcan be adjusted. The driven drum 104 which is mounted on the drivenshaft 106 is octagonal in section, providing on its periphery eightseats for receiving the chain forming members The driven shaft 106 isjournaled in the support plate 100 and connected to a drive mechanism ina manner which will be subsequently described.

The conveyor forming portion of the mechanism 12 comprises a pluralityof supporting plates 107 (Figs. 8 and 9) which have a link formingsection 108 and a laterally extending section 109. The link formingsection is provided at one side edge with a bearing forming portion orextension 110 for receiving the connecting pin 111 which joins it withthe next adjacent link section 108. On the other side edge the linksection 108 is provided with a pair of spaced bearing forming extensions112 for receiving the connecting pin 111 which joins the link to thenext adjacent link. The link section 108 supports on its .outer face acup member 15 which is adapted to receive and grip one end of an eggwhen the latter is positioned therein with its long axis generallynormal to the outer face thereof. The cup member 15 (Figs. 9 andcomprises a funnel-shaped rubber section 114 which is positioned on atubular nipple formation 115 extending outwardly of the plate section108. The tubular nipple 115 is seated over an aperture 116 in the platesection 108 which provides a passageway for suction from the interior ofthe cup member 114 through the plate section 10.8. The rubber cap member114 is provided with an internal flange or shoulder 117 which.

when the cup is positioned on the nipple 115, is in spaced relation tothe end of the nipple 1 15, and a sponge rubber pad 118 is positionedbetween the flange 117 and the end of the nipple, which permits suctionapplied to the passageway internally of the nipple 115 to be elfectiveon the end of an egg positioned on the cup member 114. The flange 117cooperates with the vacuum pull on the end of the egg to force the shelltogether in the case of a cracked egg and prevents loss of albumen,which would otherwise occur due to the action of the vacuum. it alsoinsures that the end of the egg will not strike the end of the nipple115.

Each of the plates 107 carries on the outwardly extending portion 109 acombination egg gauge and cutter or cracking knife assembly 119. Theknife assembly 119 is received and supported on the plate section 109,primarily by a hollow post 129, which extends outwardly normal to theface of the plate section 1'39, the latter being apertured at 121 toprovide a passageway through the plate section 10? for a supporting andguiding post member 122 which carries at one end the support or baseplate 123 for the gauge and breaker assembly 119. The base plate 123 isgenerally rectangular in shape with a relatively large aperture orrecess 124 at the one end whi h i of g ne ally c r u a fo ma on nd h his open at on si e The supportmg po t 1221 rranged adiar cen one dge ofh Plat 71: 3 so t at when th P st is position d t s ppor .12 on the plte c i n 10.9 the Plate 123 is P sitioned in space pa el r lati n bovethe plate 107 an the top port on of the rubbe ese holdin cup .114 isreceived within the aperture 124. At a corner of plate member 123opposite the aperture 124 there is P vid d ownward y e en ng h llo pos25 which is open atsthe side ,facing outwardly of the corner of theplate member 12.3.and which receives the pil 126 on the upper end ofwhich there is supported a breaker knife 127, thepin 1 6 being suppo din ro at le r l ion theholl wp t an th pin 1 udknif 127 bein removable otward y thro gh th open side of the post 121 The racking or lbteaki gknife 127 carries a .it outer or free end a blade section 128 having acutting edge which is curved to correspond generally with the curvattu'e.ofthe aperture 124. The blade 128 is. arranged so that when it ispivoted to closed or cutting position and theend 129 engages with arubber stopmember 130 on the end .of the base plate 123 the knife 128and the curved section of the plate 123 defining .the aperture 124 iormagenerally circular .or closed aperture corresponding approximately inshape to the cross section of a normal egg but being somewhat smaller insize than the cross section of the smallest egg which would :be likely.to be fed .to the machine for cracking. When the complete knifeassembly is mounted on plate 107 the pin 126 is received .in .andextends through an aperture 131 in the outer end :of the plate section109 and arranged below the aperture 131 there is a bent wire spring 132securedatrone lend to the plate 167 and with its free end movable acrossthe opening 131m engage in a peripheral groove 133 .on the .end of pin126 and prevent removal therefrom the plate 107. The knife arm 127extends beyond the pivot pin .126 .at the end opposite the knife edge128..a nd is pointed at'its outereud at 134 forengagement with the inneredge ofra latch plate 135. The latch plate 135 forms the head portion ofa T-shaped latch member 1316 on which the stem portion 137 and the headportion '135.are in planes ,at right angles to each other and the sternportion 137 is pivotally mounted at 1138 on the inner .or bottom face ofbase plate 123. The stem1137 of the latch member 136 and the knife am127 are connected by a tension spring 139 which is mounted at oppositeends or! pins 14.0 and 141, on the latch stem 137 and the knife arm 12?,respectively. The spring 139 urges-the latch plate 135 into latchingposition forengagement with the end 134 of the knife-arm 127 and alsourges the knite arm 127 towards the aperture 124-iu-the plate 123 forthe cracking operation. The baseplatelZS may be notched, if required, atthe edge adjacent the pivot post 125 to clear the pin 141. Thecorner ofthe plate 123 may also be notched at 142m receive the inner edge of thelatch plate 135 and provide a stop for the latter. The pin 126 carriesin fixed relation thereon a bell crank having arms .143 and .143 whichcontrol the movement of theknife assembly in a manner which willbedescribed subsequently. The base piate 123 also carries at the innerside of the aperture 124 a depending flange portion 144 which extendsalong the inner side of the egg holding cup 15 and which isfor a purposewhich will be described subsequently. Each of the plates 1 117 whichconstitute the conveyor carries one of the cracking assemblies 119.

Certain of the plates 107 carry an-angle plate member 145, which :willbe referred to subsequently. The drum 194 supporting the leading end ofthe breaking conveyor is provided with a series of vacuum passageways146 (Fig. 11) having a radial portion terminating in the center .of eachface or seat 147 for the conveyor chain plates 107 with a washer or pad148 of suitable material to form a seal around the aperture 116 in theplate portion 108. The vpassageways 146 have an-axial portion which isconnected to a suitable source of vacuum by means of a suction hes-1A9which ismounted between the support! ing plate 100 and the driving drum184. The suction box 149 is provided with a semicircular port 158opening on the outer face which engages with the inner face of thedriving drum 104, which port 158 is aligned with the inner openings orterminals of the passageways 146 for a portion of the movement of thedrum 184 around the end of the conveyor. The port 158 in the suction box149 is connected by a passageway 151 and connecting members 152 with asource of vacuum (not shown). As the plate section 188 passes around thedrum 184 vacuum is applied through the port 158 in the suction box 149and the passageway 146 in the drum 184 to the cup member 114 which holdsthe one end of the egg in position therein. The other end of the egg issupported during its movement to the cracking position by mechanismwhich will be described, subsequently.

The cracking conveyor mechanism 12 is supplied with eggs by the transferdevice 11 which moves a row of six eggs into position for delivery abovethe mechanism 12. The eggs are gripped by the fingers '73 and 74 andmechanism is provided to automatically release them from the gripperfingers for deposit in the rubber holding cups 15 while the conveyormechanism 12 is in motion. As the transfer mechanism 11 approaches thecups 15 the cam arm or rod 87 is engaged by one of the angle members 145on the cup carrying plates 187 which causes the arm 87 on the transfermechanism to move the rock shaft 67 in its axial direction, against theforce of the spring 70, with the continuously moving cracking conveyorwhile the eggs are deposited by opening of the gripper assemblies on thetransfer mechanism.

The movable gripper fingers 74- are moved out of gripping engagementwith the eggs by engagement of the trip arms 77 with a verticallyreciprocating cam or release bar 153 (Fig. 7). The gripper release bar153 is supported on a pair of vertically extending side arm or postmembers 154 which are slidably mounted in vertically positioned sleevemembers 155 secured on the inner face of the vertical support plate 180.The bar 153 is raised and lowered by means of an operating arm 156 whichis mounted for rotation on a shaft 157 journaled in the support plate188 and which strikes a cross bar 158, extending between the postmembers 154 below the release bar 153, during a portion of its rotativemovement. The shaft 157 extends through the plate 188 and is rotated bythe power mechanism in a manner which will be described subsequently.

A vertically positioned cam plate 159 which is mounted on a bracket 160secured on the top edge of the support plate 108, is arranged at the endof the cam bar 153 for engaging the cam rod 87 on the transfer mechanism11 to tilt the plate 71 in the clockwise direction sufficient to movethe gripper fingers 73 away from the eggs after they are deposited onthe conveyor and to permit withdrawal of the transfer mechanism withoutinterference with the eggs as they are advanced by the cracking conveyormechanism 12. Withdrawal or upward movement of the transfer mechanismreleases the rod 87 from engagement with the angle plate 145 on theconveyor and permits the spring 70 to return the gripper assemblymechanism to normal position for picking up the next succeeding row ofeggs from feed conveyor 10.

Mechanism is provided for seating the ends of the eggs securely in thecups 15 which comprises a small, generally circular plate 161 (Figs. 3A,7, l3 and 14) having a sponge rubber pad 162 on the lower face which isadapted to engage the free end of the eggs as they pass beneath thesame. The plate 161 is mounted on an angular arm 163 which is secured ona pivot pin 164 journaled in upstanding bearing plates 165 secured onthe rear face of the support plate 180. The supporting arm 163 isextended beyond the pivot pin 164 for intermittent engagement by arotatable cam 166 which is mounted on the end of a stub shaft 167 whichis journaled in the frame plate 100 and carries a driving pinion 168engaging in shaft 186. The supporting arm 163 is apertured to receive aguide post 170 having its lower end fixed in a boss 171 on the innerface of the frame plate 100 and having a compression spring 172supporting the bracket arm 163 for cushioned movement on its pivot 164.The cam 166 is operated to intermittently pivot the arm 163 in timedrelation to the movement of the eggs on the conveyor mechanism 12 sothat each egg is tapped by downward movement of the sponge rubber pad162 to move securely seat the egg in the cup 15 and insure that thevacuum will be effective on the end of the egg and hold it in the cup asit moves around the end of the drum 104.

As the eggs move around the end of the conveyor mechanism 12 with oneend seated in a suction cup 15 thereon the opposite end is received in acooperating suction cup 16 on a rotary head mechanism 13 (Figs. 7, '14,15). The latter comprises a carrier head or rotary drum 188 which isarranged for rotation on a shaft 181. The shaft 181 is journaled in theframe plate 100 in alignment with the shafts 185 and 106 and is spacedfrom the shaft 106 at the leading end of the conveyor mechanism 12. Therotary head 188 is provided with a series of radially extendingapertures or slots 182 in the outer face along the sides of each ofwhich are secured a pair of gibs 183 forming guideways for block members184 of generally rectangular shape which carry the holding cups 16 forengaging the outer ends of the eggs as they pass around the end of theconveyor mechanism 12. Each block 184 is slidable in a guideway 182 andhas extending in the radial direction relative to the head 188 a supportblock 185 on the outer end of which is mounted a nipple forming tubularmember 186 which receives on its outer end a funnel-shaped rubber cupforming member 187 of the same construction as the cup forming members114 on the conveyor 12. The members 184, 185 and 186 are provided withan internal passageway 188 which communicates with the interior of thecup forming member 187 at one end with an under-cut recess 189 on thebottom of the sliding block 184 at the other end. A suction box 198 isprovided between the rotary head and the supporting plate 180 which hasa semi-circular port 191 on the front face, which is in engagement withthe rear face of the head 188, the port 191 being connected, by suitablemembers, indicated at 192, to a vacuum pump or other source of suction.

A fixed cam plate 193 is supported by a bracket 194 extending forwardlyfrom the frame plate 180 in front of the rotary head 188 and adjacentthe outer face thereof. This plate has a cam surface or track 195 whichis adapted to engage the forward or outer edge of the support block tolimit the outward movement of the cup 16 as it approaches the positionwhere it is released to engage the outer end of the egg in the cup 15 onthe conveyor mechanism 12. As the holder cups 16 move away from thecracking position the outer edge of the block 185 engages a cam surfaceor track 196 on a cam plate 197 which is supported on a bracket 198extending from the frame plate 188. The cam 197 returns the cup 16 toits innermost position. The inward movement of the cups 16 relative tothe center or axis of the head 188 is limited by engagement of the innerend of the slide block 184 with a collar 199 secured on the end of theshaft 181. A stop washer 182' fixed at the outer end of each guidewaylimits the outward movement of the slide block 184 between the camplates 193 and 197.

Each cup 16, as it approaches the position where it engages the end ofthe egg, is snapped toward the egg to insure that it willproperly seaton the end thereof and that the vacuum will be effective through the cupbody 187. The mechanism for snapping the cups 16 into position as thehead rotates the individual cups toward the conveyor mechanism 12comprises a roller or disk mem: her 200 which is adapted to engage theinner end of the carrier block .185. Th roller 200 is .rc tahly mountedon a shaft 201 which is secured to the lower end of one @202 of a bellrank me er h ch h ll ran 'mcn her is pivoted at 203 to the lower end ofa depending arm 204. The other arm 205 of the bell crank, is connectedat its outer end to one end of a tension spring 206. The other end ofspring 206 is connected to the end of the upper end of arm 204. The arm204 is secured on the end of a shaft 207 which is mounted for rocking orrotating movement in aholder or bearing sleeve 208. T he sleeve 208 issecured to a plate member 2% which is in secured to an upstandingextension plate 216 On e frame plate 100. The shaft 207 carries on itsouter end a vertically extending cam operating arm 211 which is adaptedt be intermi en ly struck by a cam pl t .212 mounted on theend of a stubshaft 213 which is journaled in the frame plate 100. The shaft 213 isrotated bymeans of a pinion 214 mounted thereon and in drivingengagement with a gear 215 on the shaft 181 which carries the rotaryhead 180. The gear 215 is connected in driving relation with gear 169 onthe drive shaft 106 by means of idler pinion 216 and the cooperatingpinion 168 on stub shaft 167. As the head 180 rotates to bring a cup 16into cooperative relation with a cup on the conveyor mechanism 12 theforward edge of the cup carrier member 185 engages with the cam surface195 which moves the cup holder radially towards the center of the head180. During this movement the cam roller engages the rear of the block185 and urges the same outwardly toward the cam surface 195. The spring206 is tensioned slightly by rotation of the shaft .207 throughengagement of the cam plate 212 with cam arm 211 .on the other end ofthe shaft 207 so that when the cup member 185 moves out of engagementwith the cam surface 195 the tension in the spring 206 kicks the cuptowards the egg with which it is to be engaged so that the funnel:shaped cup body 187 is snapped against the end of the egg. With thisarrangement seating of the end of the egg in the cup member 187 andeffective operation .of the suction or vacuum through the same isinsured.

The egg is firmly engaged on both ends by the suction cups 15 and 16when it reaches a horizontal position where it is broken or cracked byrelease of the cocked cracking knife arm 127 which is associated withthe suction cup 15. Prior to the release of the cracking knife arm 127for the cracking operation the entire cracking assembly 119 is movedinto the proper position for crack ing the egg, the extent of themovement depending upon the size and shape of the egg. A cam plate 217(Fig. 14), which consists of a relatively thin resilient strip is ar-.ranged on a bracket 213, adjustably secured on the up? right supportingbracket or post 219 which is mounted on a top bar 102 of the supportingframe. The com plate 217 engages the bell crank arm 143 on the crackingassembly 119 and moves the entire assembly outwardly away from thesupporting plate 107 to position the plate 123 with the recess 124receiving the egg and with the outer peripheral surface of the eggengaging the edge of the plate defining the recess 124. The Peripheralportions of the size gauging pl 123 aroun the ecess 124 eng g h egg nits uppe s de as he plate 12.3 is moved into position. The knife arm 127which is in a cocked position extending away from the other side of theegg is released by engagement of the latch plate 135 with a pin 22!) on.a bracket 221 which is adjustably secured .on support post 219. Releaseof the knife arm 127 permits the spring 139 to snap the knife 128against the egg surface, the stop member 130 which limits the movementof the knife 123 being so positioned that the knife edge penetrates theshell and cracks the egg permitting the two sections or shell portionsinto which it is thus divided to be moved apart by continued movement ofthe cups 15 and 16 in their respective paths. Further movement of theshell portions, of course,

du ps e ents of the egg, wh shfalls reely beneath the cracking position.

A h cti n cup 15 m e bey nd the cra kin pos tion the bell crank arm 143of the cracking assembly 119 engages a roller 222 which is mounted on ashaft 223 supported on a bracket 224 which is secured to the upstandingpost 219 and the knife arm 127 is returned to its cocked position withthe latch plate reengaging the end 134 thereof.

Further movement of the cup .15. carries it around on the lower orreturn run of the conveyor mechanism 12 to a shell releasing mechanismwhich insures that the empty shell portion will be removed from the cup15 if it fails to drop free after the cup leaves the endjsup-v portingdrum 104 and the vacuum is broken. The shell releasing mechanismcomprises a suppOItiDg plate 225 (Fig. 12) extending beneath the lowerrun of the cO YQYOr m hanis Plate 225 is sup orte by means of a pair ofposts 226 extending from the vertical supporting plate 100 and carriesadjacent its outermost edge a plus rality of disks 227 each of which ismounted in freely rotating relation on a small shaft 228. The disks227are positioned so that they extend into the pathof the cups 15 as thelatter passes along the plate 225. The disks 227 each strike the body114 of the cup 15 so that the cup body 114 is squeezed between the diskand the flange 144 on the knife assembly 119 as it Passes each disk.This tends to break the hold of the cup on the egg shell which fallsfree beneath the conveyor mechanism to a suitable receiving member (notshown). The cracking assemblies 119 are supported along the outer endsof the plates 123 as they pass along the lower run of the conveyormechanism 12 by an elongate bracket or rail member 229 (Fig. 7) which isadjustably supported on a bracket 230 extending above the frame member102. A drain pan 231 is provided beneath the conveyor mechanism 12adjacent the cracking station for receiving any albumen which drainsfrom the shell portion immediately after the cracking and dumpingoperation.

The other portion of the shell which is held in the cup 16 on head ismoved by the head 180 (Fig. '14) to a shell releasing device at theother side of the head which comprises a pair of spaced disks'232mounted for free rotation on the ends of support pins 233 which are inturn secured to an angle bracket 234 extending outwardly of the verticalframe plate 100. As the cups 16 pass between the disks 232 the ends ofthe cups are squeezed suflicient to release the egg shell, the-vacuumholding it in the cup being also released at this point. A drainage pan235 is arranged beneath the head 180 to collect any albumen which drainsfrom the egg shell as it passes above the same on the rotary head 180.

When the egg is cracked and the shell portions separated, by continuedmovement of the cups Hand 16 in their respective paths, the contents ofthe egg is dumped and falls into one of a series of receiving cups 17which are carried on the endless conveyor 14 (Fig l). The conveyor 14 issupported for movement in a horizontal plane, with the cups 17 beingmoved over a generally triangular path having a short side thereofextending beneath the point where the eggs are cracked at the end of theconveyor mechanism 12. The conveyor 14 is supported on the top rails1020f the main supporting frame at the end forming the short side of thetriangle while it is supported along the two longer sides on atriangular supplemental frame 236 attached to the main frame. Theconveyor 14 comprises a chain 237 mounted on the three sprockets 238,239 and 240 which are arranged in triangular relation. The drivingsprocket 240 is mounted on a vertical shaft 241 (Fig. 3A) which issupported in an angular bearing bracket 242 .011 the rear face of the'vertical frame plate '100 and an end bearing 243 mounted on the top ofthe main frame member 102. The shaft 241 carries'at its upper end abeveled gear 244 which is in driving relation with a bevel gear 245 onthe driven shaft 13L The idler sprockets 23$ and 239 are l..0llI1ld onshafts 246 and 247, the former extending upwardly of the top framemember Hi2 adjacent the rotary head 180, and the latter extendingupwardly or" the outer end of the supplemental frame 236. The verticalframe plate 100 is apertured at 248 (Fig. 3A) to permit the conveyor 14to pass through the same beneath the cracking station.

The conveyor chain 237 carries a substantial number of the cupassemblies 17 which receive the egg contents as it is dumped theseparating shell portions beneath the cracking station. Each of the cupassemblies 17 comprises a generally circular main portion 249 (Figs. 16,17 and 18) which is flattened along opposite sides to permit closerspacing of the cups on the conveyor chain 237, and a central egg yolkreceiving cup section 25% which is movable relative to the main portion249. The yolk cup 254) is normally positioned in closing relation in acentral aperture 251 formed in the bottom of the main cup section 242,the bottom wall sections 24% being tapered downwardly and inwardly inone or more steps toward the central aperture 251. A peripheral flange252 depends from the main cup section 2 59 which has an open inner sideat 253. A closure cap or plate 254 is ar anged at the bottom of theflange 252 which is provided on its upper or inner face with anapertured boss 255 for receiving in sliding relation therein a dependingpin 256 on the yolk cup 259. The base plate 254 has attached to thebottom thereof a guideway forming, elongate, rectangular plate 257 inwhich there is slidably positioned a bar 258 having therein an elongateaperture 259 for accommodating the pin 256 on the yolk cup and having atits outer end an upturned angular portion 269. The flange 252 on the cupmember 249 has attached, in fixed relation thereto the leg portions of aU-shaped hanger yoke or bail 261 which is adapted to be positioned withthe bight forming portion in a holder 262 attached to the conveyor chain237.

Each of the holders or cup supporting brackets 262 comprises ahorizontal flange portion 263 which is attached by suitable rivets tothe top plate of a chain link or to the ends of the pivot membersconnecting the chain links, and a vertical flange portion 264 de pendingfrom the chain 237 and terminating in a reversely bent end portion 265having an outwardly directed lip 266. The reversely bent portion 265provides a pocket for readily detachably receiving the bail 261 on thecup assembly 17. The bail 261 is held in the pocket of the supportingbracket 262 by a latching member which comprises a generally U-shapedframe with the lower or end portions of the legs 267 positioned toextend downwardly along the side edges of the vertical plate portion 264and with the upper portions of the legs and the bight portion 268extending above the flange portion 263 of the bracket 262. The latchingmember is attached to the bracket 262 by means of a pivot rod 269secured to the forward edge of the flange 263 and having its endsextending through suitable bearing apertures in the leg portions 267.The weight of the bight portion 268 tends to hold the legs 267 withtheir ends over the bight portion of the cup bail 261 when it isattached to the hanger bracket 262. With this arrangement each cupassembly 17 is connected in latched relation with its hanger bracket 262but the latch may be quickly swung to release the bail 261 and permitthe cup assembly 17 to be readily removed from the conveyor 14. The cupassemblies 17 are also connected to the hangers 262 so that they willnormally swing in a downward direction unless they are supported.

A supporting rail 270 is arranged in generally parallel relation withthe path of travel of the conveyor chain 237 and extending along a majorportion thereof, which supports the bottom of the cup assemblies 17. Therail 27% extends through the aperture 248 in the vertical of the path oftravel of the conveyor.

frame plate 1% and beneath the cracking station to hold the cupassemblies 17 in horizontal position for receiving the contents of theeggs as they are dumped from the broken shell portions thereof at thecracking station. The supporting rail 270 extends around the sprocket238 and a predetermined distance along the path of the chain 237 betweenthe sprockets 238 and 239. The cup assemblies 17 are supported inhorizontal position and in assembled relation for a sufficient distanceto permit the operator of the machine to observe the condition thecontents of the eggs so that any cup assembly may be removed when theegg which it receives appears to be undesirable. The yolk cup 250remains in closing relation in the bottom aperture 251 of each cupassembly 1'7 until the cup reaches a cam plate which has an inclinedportion 271 which lifts the stem 256 of the yolk cup 250 a suflicientdistance above the aperture 252 to permit the albumen or egg white inthe cup to drain through the aperture 251 and into a suitable receptacleor pan 272 arranged beneath the portion The cam plate 271, which isrelatively short, extends inwardly in the direction of the conveyorchain 237 from the supporting rail 27% and is supported from the latteror by suitable brackets extending from the auxiliary supporting frameass which also supports the rail 270 at this point. As the cup assembly17 passes over the end of the horizontai portion 273 of the cam platethe pin 256 drops the yolk cup 2519 and cuts off the egg white againstthe edges of the aperture 251. A second inwardly extending cam plate isarranged, slightly beyond the end of cam plate 271 with an upwardlyinclined end portion 274- which again raises the yolk cup stern 256 topermit further drainage of the albumen from the cup as the cup assembly17 moves along a horizontal portion 275 thereof around the end sprocket23?. The pan 272 for collecting the albumen which drains from the cupduring this period of operation may be extended to the end of theconveyor 1 and is supported in generally horizontal position by suitablebracket members extending from the supplemental frame 236. The rail 27dterminates beyond the sprocket 23h on the back run of the conveyor wherethe cup assemblies 17 are supported for a short distance by an elongateplate 276 (Fig. 1) which also raises the pins 256 and with them the yolkcups 25% to permit further drainage of the albumen from the main cupsections 249 of the cup assemblies 17. The plate 276 is supported by abracket structure 277 extending outwardly of the frame 236. The bracketstructure 277 also provides a support for a removable drainage pan 2'78arranged beneath the plate 276 to receive any albumen which drains fromthe cups 17. As the cup assemblies 17 pass beyond the end of thesupporting plate 276 they normally swing to a vertical position andallow the yolks which are retained in the yolk cups 250 to be dumpedinto a pan or chute 2% (Fig. 3B) arranged beneath the conveyor. Anoutwardly positioned support bar 280 is arranged on the bracketstructure 277 which engages beneath the end of the slide bar 258 whenthe latter has been moved to an outwardly extending position byoperator. This is done when it is desired to separate out a dark yolk.The operator merely moves the slide bar 258 outwardly to its outermostposition when he observes the dark yolk and when the cup assembly withthe slide bar 253 extended reaches the end of the support plate 276 itis still held in horizontal position by the support bar 280 until itreaches the end of the latter when it is allowed to swing into avertical position and dump the yolk into a second pan or chute 283iarranged beneath the conveyor. As the cup assemblies pass beyond thechute 281 they are engaged by an upwardly inclined portion 282 of thesupporting rail 270 which swings them into a horizontal beneath thecracking station.

Asthe cup assemblies 17 swing to the vertical position for dumping ordischarging the yolks the slide bars 25.8 which are not already extendedmove to their outermost position by gravity. They are returned to normalretracted position by engagement of their ends with a resilient camplate 283 (Fig. 1) which is supported on the main frame of the machineby a bracket 284.

The main drive for the machine is positioned on the rear face of thevertical frame plate 16!] (Fig. 3A). It comprises a motor or other powersource (not shown) with a driven belt or chain, which drives a speedreduction or control unit indicated at 285. The output gear 286 on thelatter is in driving engagement with the gear 169 on the drive shaft 196for the conveyor mechanism is. The gear 169 is in driving relation witha gear 287 on the shaft 157. A bevel gear 238 carried on the end of theshaft 157 is in driving engagement with bevel gear 289 on the end ofshaft 62, the latter being journaled in bearings 290 mounted on theframe plate 189. The connections between these driven members and theoperating mechanisms of the machine have been previously described.

I claim:

1. An egg handling machine, comprising a continuously operating eggcarrying conveyor having a series of gripping members thereon forengaging the ends of a plurality of eggs, an intermittently operatingegg feed conveyor, a transfer mechanism for delivering eggs from thefeed conveyor to the carrying conveyor, a continuously operating holdingconveyor having a series of gripping memhers thereon for cooperationwith the gripping members on the carrying conveyor to position thesuccessive eggs at a breaking station with the long axis generallyhorizontal, a size gauging and shell breaking assembly operativelyconnected with said gripping members to break the egg shells, the brokenportions of the egg shells being separated as they advance and thecontents thereof being discharged beneath the same, a conveyor having aplurality of receiving receptacles mounted thereon and movableintermittently into position to receive the contents of successive eggsas they are broken and the broken shell portions are moved apart, saidreceptacles having a movable yolk cup, and means cooperating with saidreceptacles along the path of movement thereof to move the yolk cuprelative to the body of each receptacle and thereby separate the yolkand the albumen and discharge the same separately from said receptacles.

2. An egg handling machine, comprising an endless egg carrying conveyorhaving a series of gripping devices thereon for engaging a plurality ofeggs, an egg feed conveyor, a transfer mechanism for delivering eggsfrom the feed conveyor to the carrying conveyor, a holding conveyorhaving a series of gripping devices thereon for cooperation with thegripping devices on the carrying conveyor to engage and positionsuccessive eggs at a cracking station with the long axis generallyhorizontal, a size gauging and cracking assembly connected with saidgripping devices to crack the egg shells and permit the same to separateinto two portions as the gripping devices are advanced by the conveyors,whereby to discharge the egg contents beneath the same, a conveyorhaving a plurality of receiving receptacles mounted thereon and movableinto position to receive the contents of successive eggs as they arecracked and the broken shell portions moved apart said receptacleshaving movable yolk separating portions and means cooperating with saidreceptacles along the path of movement thereof to move said receptacleportions to separate the yolk from the albumen and to discharge the yolkand the albumen separately from said receptacles.

3,. An egg handling, machine, comprising an egg carrying conveyortraveling in an endless path and having a series of gripping membersthereon for engaging the ends of eggs positioned. thereon, an egg feedconveyor, a. transfer mechanism for delivering eggs from the feedconveyor to the carrying conveyor, a holding conveyor traveling in anendless path and having a series of gripping members thereon forcooperating with the gripping members on the carrying conveyor to engageand position successive eggs with the long axis generally horizontal,size gauging and shell cracking means connected with said grippingmembers and operable to break the egg shells, the broken portions of theshells being separated as they are advanced by the conveyors and thecontents thereof being discharged beneath the same, a separatingconveyor having a plurality of receiving receptacles mounted thereon andmovable into position to receive the contents of successive eggs as theyare cracked and the broken shell portions are moved apart, saidreceptacles having relatively movable yolk and albumen separatingportions and means cooperating with said receptacles along the path ofmovement thereof to move said receptacle portions to separate the yolkand the albumen and to discharge the same separately from saidreceptacles.

4. An egg handling machine, comprising a continuously operating endlessegg carrying conveyor having a series of gripping members thereon forengaging the ends of eggs positioned thereon, an intermittentlyoperating feed conveyor for supplying successive rows of eggs, atransfer mechanism for delivering successive rows of eggs from the feedconveyor to the carrying conveyor, a continuously operating endlessholding conveyor having a series of gripping members thereon forcooperating with the gripping members on the carrying conveyor to engageand position successive eggs with the long axis generally horizontal,size gauging and cracking mechanism connected to said gripping membersand operative to break the egg shells whereby the broken portionsthereof are separated as they are advanced by the conveyors and thecontents dumped beneath the same, an endless receiving conveyor having aplurality of receptacles mounted thereon, means to move said receivingconveyor intermittently to position the receptacles to receive thecontents of successive eggs as the contents are dumped from the crackedand separating shells, said receptacles having a body portion and a yolkreceiving portion and means cooperating with said receptacles along thepath of movement thereof to move said receptacle portions relative toeach other and separate the yolk from the albumen.

5. In an egg cracking and separating mechanism, a conveyor fordelivering successive rows of eggs to a transfer station, an eggcarrying conveyor operable in a plane extending transversely of the pathof said delivery conveyor and having a plurality of pocket forming eggreceiving members spaced along the same, an oscillating transfer deviceat the transfer station for moving successive rows of eggs from thedelivery conveyor to the carrying conveyor, a holding conveyor operablein the same plane at the leading end of said carrying conveyor andhaving pocket forming members thereon cooperating with the pocketforming members on the carrying conveyor to support successive eggstherebetween with the long axis of the eggs arranged in generallyhorizontal position for a predetermined portion of their movement,cracking members arranged to engage and crack the shells of successiveeggs while the latter are in the horizontal position, a receivingconveyor havingv a. plurality of receptacles thereon and movable in apath to position the successive receptacles beneath the eggs as theshells are cracked andthe contents dumped, and means cooperating withsaid receptacles to hold the same in position for.

' inspection and thereafter to separate the yolks and the Whitesas thereceptacles are advanced by said receiving conveyor.

6. In an egg cracking and separating mechanism,,means for deliveringsuccessive rows of eggs to a transfer station, an endless egg carryingconveyor having a plurality of pocket. forming egg receiving membersspaced alongthe same,.means for moving successive rows of eggs from-thetransfer station to the carrying conveyor, a hold- 1? ing conveyoroperable in the same plane at the leading end of said carrying conveyorand having pocket forming members thereon cooperating with the pocketforming members on the carrying conveyor to support the eggstherebctween with the long axis of the eggs arranged in generallyhorizontal position for a predetermined portion of their movement, shellcracking assemblies operable to engage and crack the shells ofsuccessive eggs While the latter are in the horizontal position, areceiving conveyor having a plurality of receptacles thereon and movablein a path to position the successive receptacles beneath the eggs as theshells are cracked and the contents dumped by movement of the receivingpockets beyond the horizontal position, and means cooperating with saidreceptacles to separate the yolks and the whites and finally todischarge the yolks as the receptacles are advanced by said receivingconveyor.

7. In an egg cracking machine, an endless chain conveyor, spacedrotatable drums supporting said chain for movement in a vertical plane,said chain having egg supporting and gripping means including a baseplate, said base plate having mounted thereon an egg cracking assembly,said cracking assembly including a cracking knife and a size gaugingdevice, said cracking assembly being movable outwardly of said baseplate to adjust the position of the cracking knife for the crackingoperation in accordance with the size of the egg.

8. in an egg cracking machine, an endless chain conveyor, spacedrotatable drum-s supporting said chain for movement in a vertical plane,said chain comprising a series of outwardly opening suction cups, eachof said suction cups being mounted on a base plate, and each of saidbase plates having mounted thereon an egg cracking assembly, saidcracking assembly including a cracking knife and a cooperating sizegauging device movable relative to said base plate to adjust theposition of the cracking knife in accordance with the size of the egg.

9. in an egg cracking machine, an endless conveyor having egg grippingelements and associated egg cracking members thereon, and spacedrotatable drums supporting said conveyor for movement in a verticalplane, said egg gripping elements including a base plate and anoutwardly opening suction cup, said base plate having means thereon forslidably receiving the egg cracking members, said egg cracking membersincluding a cracking knife and a size gauging ring mounted on aconnecting plate member, said connecting plate member being slidableoutwardly of said base plate to position the size gauging ring forencircling the middle portion of an egg when the egg is held by theassociated gripping elements, and means for moving the cracking kniferelative to the size ring.

10. in an egg cracking machine, an endless conveyor having mountedthereon a series of base plates, each of base plates having an outwardlyopening suction cup for engaging an egg at its one end, each of saidbase lates having mounted thereon an egg cracking assembly for breakingthe shell of the egg, said cracking assembly including a support platehaving pivotally mounted thereon a cracking knife and a cooperatingpositioning memher, said support plate being movable outwardly of saidbase plate to locate the positioning member for operation of thecracking knife in the vicinity of the middle of the egg, saidpositioning member having a stop thereon for limiting the movement ofthe knife to relatively slight penetration of the shell.

ll. in an egg cracking machine means to support an egg comprising a pairof cooperating cups engageable with opposite ends of the egg, a sizegauging device movably mounted adjacent one of said cups, means toadvance said gauging device along the long axis of the egg to shellcracking position intermediate the ends thereof and in the space betweenthe cups, a cracking knife movably mounted adjacent said gauging device,means to move the cracking edge of said cracking knife toward and fromthe egg in a plane generally transverse to the long axis thereof wherebyto pierce the egg shell when said gauging device is moved to shellcracking position.

12. in an egg cracking machine means to support an egg comprising a pairof cooperating cups movable into engagement with opposite ends of theegg, a gauging device movably mounted adjacent one of said cups, meansto move said gauging device along the long axis of the egg to shellcracking position intermediate the ends thereof, a cracking knife havinga shell piercing edge mounted on said movable auging device, saidcracking knife being pivotally mounted for movement of said shellpiercing edge toward and from the egg in a plane generally transverse tothe long axis thereof, means to resiliently urge said knife toward theegg, means to hold said cracking knife in cocked position and means torelease said knife to pierce the egg shell upon movement of the gaugingdevice to the shell cracking position.

i3. in an egg cracking machine means to support an egg comprising a pairof cooperating grippers movable into engagement with opposite ends ofthe egg, a size gauging device movably mounted adjacent one of saidgrippers, said gauging device having a gauging ring adapted to encompassthe egg, means to move said gauging ring outwardly along the long axisof the egg to position the same intermediate the ends thereof, acracking knife pivotally mounted adjacent said gauging device, saidcracking knife having a curved shell piercing edge adapted to movetoward and from the egg in a plane generally transverse to the long axisthereof, means to position said cracking knife in cocked relation, andmeans to release said knife to pierce the egg shell upon movement of thegauging ring to its outermost position on the egg.

14. in an egg cracking machine means to support an egg comprising a pairof cooperating gripper members movable to engage with opposite ends ofthe egg, a gauging device including a gauging ring partially encirclingthe egg movably mounted adjacent one of said gripper members, saidgauging ring being adapted to move outwardly along the long axis of theegg to position the same intermediate the ends thereof, a shell crackingassembly including a curved knife blade mounted on said gauging device,said knife blade being mounted for pivotal movement toward and from theegg in a plane generally transverse to the long axis thereof, saidcracking assembly being bodily movable with said gauging device, springmeans urging said knife blade toward the egg, a catch for holding saidknife blade in a retracted and cocked position while said grippermembers are moved into egg supporting position, and means to thereaftersuccessively move said gauging ring outwardly and release said knifeblade for the cracking operation.

15. An egg handling machine comprising an egg carrying conveyor havingmeans thereon for gripping the ends of a plurality of eggs and advancingthe same in an endless path, movable means cooperating with saidconveyor to grip the opposite ends of said eggs during a portion of themovement thereof and to position the eggs with the long axis thereofgenerally horizontal, size gauging means operatively connected with oneof said gripping means, shell cracking means operatively connected withsaid last mentioned gripping means and positioned for the crack ingoperation by said size gauging means, means to operate said shellcracking means to penetrate the shells while the eggs are gripped atopposite ends whereby to permit the shells to be separated and thecontents discharged therefrom upon movement of the shells away from eachother.

16. An egg handling machine comprising an egg carrying conveyor havingmeans thereon for gripping the ends of a plurality of eggs and advancingthe same in an endless path, a second conveyor having means thereoncooperating with the egg gripping means on said carrying conveyor togrip the opposite ends of said eggs during a portion of the movementthereof and to position the eggs with the long axis thereof generallyhorizontal, size gauging and shell cracking means connected with the egggripping means on one of said conveyors for gauging successive eggs andfor cracking the shells of the eggs at predetermined points while theeggs are gripped at opposite ends whereby to permit the shell of eachegg to be separated into two approximately equal portions and thecontents discharged therefrom, said conveyors being so arranged that theshell portions are moved away from each other after the crackingoperation.

17. An egg handling machine comprising an egg carrying conveyor havingmeans thereon for gripping the ends of a plurality of eggs and advancingthe same in an endless path, a second conveyor having movable meansthereon cooperating with the egg gripping means on said carryingconveyor to grip the opposite ends of said eggs during a portion of themovement thereof and to position the eggs with the long axis thereofgenerally horizontal, said second conveyor having means connectedtherewith to automatically position the egg gripping means thereon forengagement with eggs of varying size, size gauging means connected withthe egg gripping means on one of said conveyors, shell cracking meansconnected with said size gauging means and operable to penetrate theshells While the eggs are gripped at opposite ends, said shell crackingmeans being positioned for the cracking operation by said size gaugingmeans, whereby to permit the shells to be divided into separate portionsand the contents discharged therefrom, said conveyors being arranged tomove said shell portions away from each other after the crackingoperation.

18. In an egg handling apparatus, an endless conveyor supported on apair of spaced drums, said conveyor having a plurality of egg grippingcups mounted thereon, means cooperating with one of said drums forapplying suction to said cups as they pass around said drum, a rotatableframe mounted adjacent said last mentioned drum and having thereon aplurality of egg gripping cups adapted to be moved into cooperatingopposed egg gripping relation to the suction cups on said conveyor asthe latter pass around said last mentioned drum, means cooperating withsaid frame for applying suction to said last mentioned cups,

size gauging rings mounted on said conveyor adjacent each of saidsuction cups, each of said gauging rings being.

movable into encircling relation to an egg gripped between cooperatingcups, and a cracking knife mounted for movement relative to each of saidgauging rings to crack the shells of the eggs while they are grippedbetween said cups.

19. In an egg handling apparatus, an endless conveyor supported on apair of spaced drums, said conveyor having a plurality of egg grippingcups mounted thereon, means cooperating with one of said drums forapplying suction to said cups as they pass around said drum, a rotatableframe mounted adjacent said last mentioned drum and having thereon aplurality of cups adapted to be moved into cooperating opposed egggripping relation to the suction cups on said conveyor as the latterpass around said last mentioned drum, means cooperating with said framefor applying suction to said last mentioned cups, size gau ing ringsmounted on said conveyor adjacent each of said suction cups, each ofsaid size gauging rings being movable into encircling relation to amiddle portion of an egg gripped between cooperating cups, a crackingknife mounted for movement relative to each of said gauging rings tocrack the shells of the eggs While they are gripped between said cupsand permit the shells to be divided into two portions, and strippermeans in the path of movement of each shell portion to strip the shellportions from the suction cups.

20. An egg contents separating means comprising an endless conveyorhaving a plurality of receptacles swingably mounted thereon, each ofsaid receptacles being adapted to receive the contents of an egg, saidreceptacles each comprising an outer pan-forming portion having acentral aperture and a yolk receiving cup in said aperture, said cupbeing mounted on a vertical pin, said outer panforming portion having adepending tubular extension communicating with said central aperture andhaving a side opening, a bottom plate on the bottom of said tubularextension, a vertically extending socket on said bottom plate forreceiving said pin in sliding relation therein, a guideway formation onsaid bottom plate and a slide bar therein having one end adapted to bemoved to an outwardly extending position, a supporting rail extendingbeneath the bottom plate on said receptacles along a portion of the pathof said receiving conveyor for maintaining said receptacles in ahorizontal position during their movement along said portion of saidconveyor path, said receptacles being normally swingable to a contentsdumping position at the end of said supporting rail, a supplemental railextending a predetermined distance beyond said supporting rail andengageable beneath said slide bar when said slide bar is moved tooutwardly extending position to permit selected receptacles to bemaintained in horizontal non-dumping position for a predetermineddistance beyond the end of said supporting rail.

21. An egg contents separating means comprising an endless conveyorhaving a plurality of receptacles mounted thereon, which receptacles areadapted to receive the contents of an egg, said receptacles eachcomprising an outer pan-forming portion having a central aperture and ayolk receiving cup seated in said aperture, said cup being mounted on avertical pin, said outer pan-forming portion having a depending portionprovided with a vertically extending socket for receiving said verticalpin in sliding relation therein, said receptacle having a guidewayformation and a slide bar mounted therein and having one end adapted tobe moved to an outwardly extending position, a supporting rail extendingalong a portion of the path of said conveyor for supporting saidreceptacles in a horizontal position during their movement along thesame, said receptacles being swingable relative to said conveyor to acontents dumping position at the end of said support ing rail, asupplemental rail extending a predetermined distance beyond saidsupporting rail and engageable beneath said slide bar when the end ofsaid slide bar is moved to outwardly extending position whereby topermit selected receptacles to be maintained in non-dumping position fora predetermined distance beyond the end of said supporting rail.

22. In an egg cracking and separating mechanism, a conveyor fordelivering eggs to a transfer station, a continuously moving eggcarrying conveyor operable in a plane extending transversely of the pathof said delivery conveyor and having a plurality of pocket forming eggreceiving members spaced along the same, an oscillating transfer deviceat the transfer station for moving the eggs from the delivery conveyorto the carrying conveyor, a continuously moving egg holding conveyoroperable in the same plane at the leading end of said carrying conveyorand having pocket forming members thereon cooperating with the pocketforming members on the carrying conveyor to support successive eggstherebetween With the long axis of the eggs arranged in generallyhorizontal position for a predetermined portion of their movement,cracking members arranged to engage and crack the shells of successiveeggs while the latter are in a horizontal position, a continuouslymoving egg contents receiving conveyor having a plurality of receptaclesthereon and movable in a path to position the successive receptaclesbeneath the eggs as the shells are cracked and the contents dumped, andmeans cooperating with said receptacles to hold the same in position forinspection, to separate the whites from the yolks, and thereafter todump the yolks as the receptacles are advanced by said receivingconveyor.

23. In an egg cracking machine, cooperating conveyors operable in thesame plane for delivering successive eggs to a cracking station with thelong axis thereof in the plane of operation of said egg deliveringconveyors, means at the cracking station to cra :k the eggs, saidconveyors being operable to separate the cracked shell portions and dumpthe contents therefrom, and means to separate the Whites from the yolks,said separating means comprising an endless conveyor operable in agenerally horizontal plane and a plurality of receptacles mountedtherealong for swinging movement laterally of said last mentionedconveyor, means cooperating with said conveyor and said receptacles toposition successive receptacles in a horizontal plane and to support thesame for receiving the contents of an egg at said cracking station, saidreceptacles each comprising an open topped pan having a central bottomaperture and a vertically movable yolk receiving cup mounted in saidaperture, means connecting one end of said pan to said last mentionedconveyor for swinging movement on an axis extending longitudinally ofthe conveyor, a rail extending along said last mentioned conveyor andpositioned to engage beneath said receptacles and support the same inupwardly opening horizontal position beyond said cracking station andmeans at predetermined points along said rail for raising said yolk cuprelative to said pan to permit the White to drain out or" the panthrough the central aperture therein and thereby separate the White fromthe yolk, said rail being terminated at a predetermined point along saidlast mentioned conveyor and beyond said yolk cup raising means wherebysaid receptacles will be disengaged from said rail at the end thereofand swing to a vertical position to thereby discharge the yolktherefrom.

24. In an egg cracking and separating mechanism, a conveyor fordelivering eggs to a transfer station, a continuously moving endless eggcarrying conveyor at the transfer station, a plurality of pocket formingegg receiving members spaced along the same, a transfer device at thetransfer station for moving eggs from the delivery conveyor to thecarrying conveyor, a continuously moving egg holding conveyor operableat the leading end of said carrying conveyor and located in the sameplane, said egg holding conveyor having pocket forming members thereoncooperating with the pocket forming members on the carrying conveyor tosupport successive eggs at a cracking station between the conveyors withthe long axis of the eggs in the plane of operation of said conveyors,means cooperating with the conveyors to engage and crack the shells ofsuccessive eggs at the cracking station, a continuously moving eggcontents receiving and separating conveyor having a plurality ofreceptacles thereon, means cooperating with said conveyor to move thesuccessive receptacles in a generally horizontal path beneath thecracking station as the shells are cracked and the contents dumped atsaid station, means cooperating with said separating conveyor and saidreceptacles for supporting said receptacles beyond said station in anupright position for inspection, means cooperating with said separatingconveyor and said receptacles for separating the whites from the yolksand for removing the whites from the receptacles, and said receptaclesupporting means being terminated beyond said separating means wherebysaid receptacles tilt and dump the yolks as the receptacles are advancedby said separating conveyor beyond said receptacle supporting means.

25. In an egg cracking machine, an egg contents separating mechanismcomprising an endless conveyor and a plurality of egg separatingreceptacles pivotally mounted thereon to extend laterally of the path ofthe conveyor, or to swing downwardly about their pivotal mountings to agenerally vertical contents dumping position, means at a point along thepath of movement of said conveyor and cooperating therewith to positionsuccessive receptacles in a generally horizontal plane beneath acracking station for receiving the contents of an egg as the egg iscracked at said station and the shell portions are separated, meanscooperating with said separating receptacies for operating saidreceptacles to separate the whites from the yolks, and means cooperatingwith said conveyor to position said receptacles in a generallyhorizontal plane as they are moved by said conveyor beyond said whiteand yolk separating means which last mentioned receptacle positioningmeans comprises a support mounted laterally of and extending along theconveyor beyond said first mentioned receptacle positioning means and amember mounted on said receptacles and movable into and out of aposition to engage said support whereby said member may be manuallypositioned to permit selected receptacles to swing about their pivotalmountings to the contents dumping position at a predetermined point intheir path of movement.

26. An egg separating mechanism comprising a conveyor and a plurality ofegg separating receptacles pivotally mounted thereon to extend outboardof the path of the conveyor or to swing downwardly about their pivotalmountings to a generally vertical contents dumping position, meanscooperating with said conveyor for supporting successive receptaclesalong a portion of said conveyor for movement in a generally horizontalplane beneath a cracking station for receiving the contents of an egg asthe egg is cracked at said station and the contents is dischargedtherefrom by separating movement of the shell portions, means forsupporting said receptacles in an elevated position as they are carriedfrom said cracking station to an inspection station, said receptacleshaving movable white and yolk receiving portions, means adjacent saidinspection station and cooperating with said separating receptacles forselectively moving said white and yolk receiving portions relative toeach other to separate the whites from the yolks, means beyond saidinspection station and said first mentioned receptacle supporting meansfor supporting said receptacles in an elevated position as they areadvanced by said conveyor, a manually movable member on said receptaclesadapted to be positioned for engagement or non-engagement with said lastmentioned supporting means whereby said member may be positioned onselected receptacles to cause said receptacles to swing downwardly abouttheir pivotal mountings and free of said last mentioned supporting meansto the contents dumping position at a predetermined point in their pathof movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,018,044 Weiss Oct. 22, 1935 2,090,963 Reese Aug. 24, 1937 2,093,437Gwinn Sept. 21, 1937 2,229,349 Sigler Jan. 21, 1941 2,443,188 HodsonJune 15, 1948 2,465,176 Serbu Mar. 22, 1949 2,521,907 Gill Sept. 12,1950 2,536,057 Hodson et al. Jan. 2, 1951

